A 20 year-old man who rode an off-road motorbike through a busy shopping centre has been jailed for 12 months.

CCTV footage shows James Kinsella riding a scrambler bike just a few feet from bemused shoppers at the Strand complex in Bootle, Merseyside, on January 7.

Kinsella, of Bootle, admitted dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and not wearing protective headgear at Liverpool Crown Court.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years and must take an extended test. His licence was also endorsed.

After the hearing Inspector Ian Jones said that it was "sheer luck" that no one was hurt as Kinsella had shown "a blatant disregard" for other peoples' safety.

He said: "It is clear from the CCTV footage that the centre was very busy at the time and there were a number of shoppers - including mums with prams - just feet from the bike. It is only by sheer luck that nobody was struck by the bike and seriously injured or worse.